Yet another heating question- in the South

[ChickenTender63]

Quote:
No, not really. If you can block off the bottom, that will stop the draft and leave the top open for ventillation. That's the picture I have in my mind anyways from your description. If anybody else feels different, feel free to correct me.

Marcy, such a pretty name also. I dated a wonderful girl from the Stone Mountain area named Marcy back in 1986 or 1987 I guess. Gosh that feels like it has been forever now. Your name just reminded me of her.

 

[Marcy]

Thank you! That's funny, my address is technically Stone Mountain too... but I would have been six or seven years old then

 

[kinnip]

Hey neighbor! My main coop has a partial wire mesh floor (I hate it, but that's another thread). I still turn on the heat lamp on nights like last night. I figure, I'm used to warmth and the cold feels colder than it should to me, so the chickens likely feel the same way. I doubt any of them would freeze without the lamp, but I like to think they'll be comfy and it keeps the water thawed. Be careful stuffing insulation in the crevices. Mine will pick at anything new, and if it comes loose, it goes right down the gullet (spray foam insulation being a fave).

 

[Marcy]

Well, the one good thing is that my original plan was to ONLY have a wire floor (we scrapped that idea when a raccoon pulled the toe off a hen from underneath who was sleeping on the mesh floor rather than a perch), so when we added the board it necessarily fit onto the very bottom edge of the coop.. so there's a good 6-inch gap between the mesh floor the hens are on, and the wooden one we slide in. So no matter what we put on those edges, the birds can't reach it- it's just a matter of whar works, looks good, and is the least work to remove and replace when we clean the coop.

 

[ChickenTender63]

You would have been a little young for me then, I think I was 18 or 19 when we went out and she was 17 or so I think.

Never hear that name much, but has always been attached to a beautiful young lady when I've heard it. That brings back some good memories for me, and makes me wish sometimes I wouldn't have been a young, foolish GI.

 

[Marcy]

I rarely meet anyone with my name either, and then it's usually a nickname.

I really like your signature line, by the way... I also am addicted to growing anything and everything wherever I can fit it on my property

 

[@migocontodos~]

Considering as far South as you are, I doubt you will suffer any ill effects from the cold, even if the temps. do drop down in the 20's from time to time.

As for the roost..I use 2x4's too, and I lay them flat. The chickens can walk on them much easier and come time to roose they simple set down on their feet, which protects them from the cold.

Todd

 

[jbowyer01]

Hi Marcy, I'm about an hour and half south of you. Something my DH insists on doing for our coop is he tacks an old blanket on the front of the coop and then across the two windows and leaves enough uncovered for ventilation. He doesnt want them to get to cold (this from the man who was not thrilled with the idea of chickens at the begining lol). Maybe you could try wrapping a blanket around the bottom(one you wouldnt care about), just to block the draft. I know when I open up the coop in the morning the coop seems comfortable and doesnt have moisture bulid up so I know its getting ventilation but stays warm enough for them. I use thumb tacks to hold up the blanket and take it down in the morning. Just an idea.

 

[Marcy]

Hmm, that's something to consider. I wonder if that might work with plastic sheeting in lieu of a blanket..... because i could cut just a strip of it to go around the edges, maybe. ponder ponder.

 

[rebelcowboysnb]

I would try to block of the top vents first. Heat rises. Air blowing across the floor really ain't issue to chickens roosting high in a pocket of warm air trapped by a well sealed roof.